UOG President Enriquez prioritizing professional workforce development for Guam and region
UOG President Enriquez prioritizing professional workforce development for Guam and region
UOG President Enriquez prioritizing professional workforce development for Guam and region
12/1/2023
President Anita Borja Enriquez took her oath to serve as the 12th President of the 91快播 on Tuesday, November 14, with a promise to continue developing a professional workforce that will not have to leave the island for better economic opportunities.
鈥�The exodus of families leaving the island for better employment and more affordable living destinations,鈥� said President Enriquez, calls for 鈥�the urgency to build the pipeline of professionals to support these gaps and meet these demands is upon us.鈥�
President Enriquez spoke about her humble beginnings, including when she wore rain-soaked, 鈥渉and-me-down" shoes at her elementary school and volunteered to clean bathrooms in exchange for hot school lunches.
She emphasized that a solid work ethic and higher education can transform lives.
鈥淭丑颈蝉 experience was my earliest memory of doing the best work I could do no matter the task,鈥� said President Enriquez.
A first-generation college student, she ultimately earned her Doctorate in Business Administration.
鈥淚 learned the importance of hard work, and that if you wanted positive change in life, education, particularly higher education, is critical," President Enriquez said.
鈥淟et鈥檚 propel forward through our new strategic initiatives, navigating through our future no matter how rocky the journey,鈥� she said. 鈥淟et鈥檚 explore new technologies and solutions and build the professional workforce who can assess and act on critical issues across society to leave no one behind and to raise the quality of life for all.鈥�
Approximately 500 attendees, including students, faculty, and staff from the UOG community, entrepreneurs and business leaders, government officials, military representatives and foreign dignitaries from the Micronesia region, Taiwan, and others attended the investiture. UOG鈥檚 research partners from the University of Hawaii, National Institutes of Health and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory also sent representatives to the occasion.
The UOG Board of Regents voted to appoint Enriquez to the UOG presidency following a competitive search that saw more than 30 U.S. and international applicants. President Thomas W. Krise retired in August 2023.
Chief Justice Robert Torres of the Supreme Court of Guam expressed confidence in Dr. Enriquez鈥檚 leadership as he described UOG鈥檚 role as 鈥渁 beacon of knowledge, island wisdom and academic excellence鈥� in the Western Pacific region.
鈥淎s we celebrate her investiture, we also celebrate the invaluable role that educational institutions like the 91快播 play in shaping not only young minds but the very foundation of our justice system,鈥� Justice Torres said. 鈥淭he effective administration of justice relies on an educated and informed 肠辞尘尘耻苍颈迟测.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero expressed confidence President Enriquez will move the stature of the University to greater heights.
鈥淲e will support you in any way we can to meet the mission of the 91快播,鈥� the governor said.